Glossary

Form 1098-T is a tax document that is used to report tuition and related expenses in a given tax year and can assist you in determining your tax credit eligibility on your federal income tax return.

This program encourages students to complete college on time by taking 15 credits per semester or 30 credits per year. To find out more about the program and our flexible pathways, visit rcbc.edu/15tofinish.
 

Students complete freshman and sophomore year with RCBC and junior and senior year with another college. It is important for students to plan what classes to take at RCBC with an advisor to make sure they are transferring as close to junior year as possible for their intended bachelor's degree. Please email advising@rcbc.edu about transferring to another school. More than 30 colleges offer guaranteed admissions to RCBC graduates.

For many majors, RCBC and Rowan University have specific major maps, which show what courses students should complete before transferring Rowan University. For a list of sample 2+2 major maps with Rowan University, please visit rcbc.edu/rowan/2plus2. Please email 3plus1@rcbc.edu for more information about Rowan University.

Students in the 3+1 program complete their freshman, sophomore, and junior year with RCBC. Students learn from RCBC faculty, pay the community college tuition with the same curriculum as the university. In the senior year, students pay Rowan University tuition with a 15% discount and learn from Rowan University faculty on the Mount Laurel campus or online. Students will earn an associate degree from RCBC and a bachelor's degree from Rowan University for less than what most colleges charge for a single year of tuition.

For a list of available 3+1 majors and applicable major maps, please visit: rcbc.edu/rowan/3plus1. Email 3plus1@rcbc.edu for more information.

Academic advisors work with students on the following: academic, career or personal matters. Advisors provide up to date information on academic programs consistent with students’ degree and/or career objectives. To learn more about and connect with our advising department, visit rcbc.edu/advising.

A calendar that includes important dates such as the start of the semester, payment due dates, add and drop deadlines. The academic calendar can be found at rcbc.edu/academic-calendar.

A student is placed on academic probation after two consecutive semesters of not meeting a 2.0 grade point average or successfully completing ⅔ of the classes they attempted (see Completion Rate below). Students on academic probation can take a maximum of 13 credits during a semester.

Any change in the physical or virtual learning environment which reduces the impact of the disability and provides an equal opportunity for learning without requiring a substantial change in curriculum or a program. For additional information, visit rcbc.edu/student-support.

The time at the beginning of the semester when students can add or drop courses. The add and drop deadlines are posted on the Academic Calendar. Students can add and drop courses in Self-Service or in-person at the Office of the Registrar until the published deadlines. The college charges a late registration fee for courses added after the start of the term, but issues full refunds for courses dropped during the drop period.

A student registers and pays for a course, but does not receive a grade or credit. An audited class will appear on a transcript with a grade of AU. Auditing a class gives students the opportunity to explore courses and subject matters without impacting their college GPA.

Students may set up authorized users to view their billing information on their behalf. Authorized users can only view student account activity, make payments and set up payment plans.This does not allow the authorized user to view the student’s academic records, course schedule or other personal information.

A degree students receive after finishing a minimum of 60 credits of required coursework for their declared major at RCBC.

A degree students receive after finishing a minimum of 120 credits of required coursework for their major at a college or university. RCBC DOES NOT award bachelor’s degrees, however through partnerships with Rowan University, students can earn a bachelor’s degree. (See: 2+2 and 3+1 programs)

The amount of money due on a student’s account.

The official mascot of RCBC. Barry is a baron, named after the nearby New Jersey Pine Barrens, who carries the Sword of Truth and Shield of Knowledge. Need an on-campus job? Click here to be Barry!

An online portal RCBC students use to access their student email, Blackboard, Self-Service, CampusLabs and more. To visit BaronOne click here.

The online software RCBC students use for their course work. In-Person, Distance Learning, and Virtual Live Courses all use this platform. Students can upload assignments, access course materials, view their grades and connect with their professor here. Students can download the free Blackboard app on their iPhone or Android.

CampusLabs is RCBC's online Student Life portal and available through a tile in BaronOne. Within CampusLabs, students can view the campus activities calendar, see what clubs are doing and join them virtually. They will be able to interact with other students at RCBC, even when they're not on campus.

Career Services provides a wide range of career-related services to all RCBC students. Specifically, they assist individuals in their career exploration, such as identifying career interests, goals, and values. Staff also assist students in identifying and securing experiential learning opportunities which will build hands-on learning and leadership skills. Finally, Career Services staff provide programming and assistance with building a resume writing, interviewing skills, job search strategies, and networking. To connect with them, please visit rcbc.edu/careers.

A focused or specific, short-term program. Only some certificates are eligible for financial aid. To see our list of certificate programs, visit rcbc.edu/degrees.
 

The activities and learning experiences that take place in school alongside, but separate from, the academic curriculum. Examples include clubs and events.
 

The CAP program is a partnership between RCBC and local high schools in the community. Participating high schools may have certain courses that are taught at the high school that also award RCBC credit. Students need to register for CAP classes during the designated registration window and require approval from school counselors and parents/guardians. Information on CAP can be found at rcbc.edu/cap.

Commencement is held in May to recognize RCBC's graduates. Students who complete their degrees in December, May, and August, each academic year, are invited to participate in the celebrations. Commencement refers to the ceremony while graduation refers to completing your degree.

A state program that provides eligible students with free tuition. To learn more, visit rcbc.edu/free.

The amount of credits a student has successfully completed (final course letter grade of A, B, C, or D) divided by the amount of credits they have attempted.

The amount of credits a student has completed is divided by the amount of credits the student has attempted. Courses with a grade of F and W are not considered passing or complete and therefore will impact the overall completion rate.

Two (or more) courses that must be taken together at the same time.

The amount of courses a student is taking in a semester.

The three-letter (subject) and three-digit designation that appears before each course name. This combination indicates the curriculum area and level of each course. (i.e. BIO-103 and BIO-155 are both in the Biology curriculum; the number designates the level and topic).

Each credit hour is a unit of time, usually 50-60 minutes, that a class will meet each week during a given semester. For example, a 3 credit course in the full 15 week term will meet 3 hours a week.

There is a limit to the number of credits students are allowed to take each semester. Credit limits differ based on a student's academic status and the semester they are registering for. When students attempt to take more than the allowed credit amount, it is considered a credit overload. Students will need to have a 3.0 GPA and permission from an academic advisor to register for more than the allowed credit amount.

The head of a specific academic or student services division at RCBC.

A list of students who demonstrated outstanding academic achievements in either the fall or spring semesters. Students can earn this designation every 12 credits they complete with a 3.50 or higher grade point average, among other criteria.

A list of courses and academic requirements that a student must complete in order to graduate. Students can review their degree requirements by going to Student Planning in Self-Service.

The electronic process by which the college issues student refunds. Money is deposited directly into the student's personal bank account. Students can set up their eRefund account by going to Payment Options and Account Management in Self-Service.

Students are placed on dismissal after three consecutive semesters of not meeting a 2.0 grade point average and successfully completing ⅔ of their courses. After one semester away from RCBC, dismissed students may petition to re-enroll to the Academic Standards Committee. Students can only be dismissed after the spring semester. If a student is academically dismissed from RCBC, they may not enroll in any academic courses for at least one 15-week semester. A student may petition to re-enroll to the Academic Standards Committee after at least one semester away from RCBC.

The college's traditional online format. These classes do not have meeting times and students will never be required to meet virtually or in-person with their class. Students are able to complete coursework around their own schedule, while meeting the class deadlines. There is a $25 Online Course Fee for DLC courses. This covers maintenance and operating costs for Blackboard and other online services.

The DualEnroll system is the online platform high school students will use to register for all CAP courses and select additional courses. Students will create a profile and choose their course(s) by visiting rcbc.dualenroll.com.

A student is placed on Early Warning after the first semester that the student does not meet a 2.0 grade point average and successfully complete ⅔ of their classes.

The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund ensures meaningful access to higher education for those who come from backgrounds of economic and educational disadvantage. These students are capable and motivated, but lack adequate economic and academic resources for college study. To learn more about EOF and how to apply, visit rcbc.edu/eof.

A list of courses students can choose from depending upon interests, needs, and specified criteria. Generally, a student may choose from a large list of elective courses.

 A learning process where students learn by doing and reflecting on the experience. Examples of experiential learning opportunities include internships, service learning and field experiences. Contact Career Services to learn more about available experiential learning opportunities visit rcbc.edu/careers.

The cost for a service or course materials other than tuition. For a complete list, visit rcbc.edu/tuition.

Money from the Federal Government that is given to students based on need for their college costs. Pell grants do not need to be repaid.

Provides part-time work for students with financial need. This allows those students to earn money to help pay for education expenses. To learn more, visit rcbc.edu/financial-aid/work-study.
 

FERPA protects the privacy of educational records for college students. Students who want to share access to their records with another person or organization, may fill out a FERPA release form. 

FERPA protects the privacy of educational records. College students have the right to privacy over their own educational records, even if they are under the age of 18. Students may file a FERPA release form in order to allow the college to share a student’s records with a specific person or organization, but the college is not required to do so. Only the student can make decisions on their behalf.

Exams at the end of a semester that tests a student’s knowledge of information covered throughout the course.

Money that helps students pay for college. Types of aid include: scholarships, grants, loans and work-study opportunities.

RCBC defines its first-generation population as students whose parents or guardians have not completed a college degree.

RCBC's FYE program covers topics like time management, communication, tips for academic success, health and wellness, and financial literacy. The goal of this initiative is to better connect first year students to the RCBC campus and community. Along the way, students will meet different staff and faculty members, try new activities, meet and interact with their peers, and learn about skills that they can take with them through the rest of their education and even into their careers.

To apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans, all students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). RCBC uses the FAFSA data to determine students’ federal aid eligibility.

A student with 29 credits or less.
 

A student enrolled in 12 or more credits during a semester.

Courses which provide all degree seeking students with broad knowledge in a variety of subjects (i.e. math, science, English, etc.). All students complete general education courses in order to have a well-rounded education.

A calculation to determine a student’s academic progress and status.

Graduation is the point at which a student has completed all degree requirements and receives their degree. Graduation is noted on the student’s transcript.

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) - A New Jersey state agency that provides New Jersey students and families financial aid programs and services to attend college in New Jersey. Students should login and create a student account and complete any HESAA requirements each year to determine their eligibility for state financial aid in the NJFAMS system. For more information, visit hesaa.org/Pages/financialaidhub.aspx.

A restriction placed on a students record that could prevent students from being able to register or perform other important tasks.

Classes that meet both on-campus and online. Usually classes meet one day per week in a classroom and the other online.

Any student on an F-1 Visa is an International Student. These students have to complete a different application and submit additional documentation. Information on the International application process can be found at rcbc.edu/international.
 

Students may obtain an ID card by visiting Public Safety. Additional information can be found at rcbc.edu/public-safety.

The subject area in which the student chooses to concentrate their academic work, often related to their career interest.

A guide of required/recommended courses uniquely designed for each major. This is a suggested timeline of when students should take courses. A major map keeps students on track towards graduation.

Exams taken in the middle of a semester that test a student’s knowledge of information covered in the course up to that point.

RCBC requires instructors to report a student's current grade at the 30-day mark. Midpoint grades are only viewable in Self-Service under "Grades". This helps students determine progress in their course and whether withdrawal is recommended. Midpoint grades do not appear on transcripts and do not affect GPA.

The completion of at least 30 credits, including a college-level math and English course in the first year of college. Participating in a momentum year makes it more likely that students will graduate in a timely fashion.

A review of a student's completed, in-progress, and registered courses used by the Office of the Registrar to determine graduation eligibility. Similar to 'Degree Requirements,' students can monitor their academic progress in the My Progress screen of Self-Service.

A program offering free tuition for full-time students that ranked in the top 15% of their class at the end of their junior or senior year of high school. NJ STARS will cover qualifying students’ tuition at RCBC for between 12-18 credits per fall and spring semester for up to five full semesters. For more information, visit rcbc.edu/njstars.
 

Days and times a professor sets aside to meet with students enrolled in their courses.
 

The department that handles Financial Aid and Federal Student Aid programs. To learn more and connect with Financial Aid, visit rcbc.edu/financial-aid.

The department that oversees charges related to tuition, tuition waivers, fees, payments, refunds, third Party/Sponsor billing (i.e. employer, foundation, government agency, company) debt collection, and 1098-T form creation and distribution. To learn more and connect with them, please visit rcbc.edu/student-accounts.

Orientation is a program offered over the summer before students start their first classes to help transition to college. This program covers topics like campus resources, student life, academic success and more.

A student enrolled in less than 12 credits during a semester.

Tests used to gauge a student's level of proficiency in a subject (typically English & Math) and determine which classes they are ready to take. To learn more, visit rcbc.edu/test-center.

A student is placed on Pre-Dismissal after three consecutive semesters of not meeting a 2.0 grade point average and completing ⅔ of their classes.

Courses a student must successfully complete before being allowed to register for a more advanced course in the same or related subject area. (i.e. ENG-101 is a prerequisite for ENG-102).

The college official responsible for keeping and maintaining students records. The Office of the Registrar, or Registration team, assists students with credit registrations, withdrawals, transcripts, enrollment verifications, degree conferrals, and much more. To connect with Registration, visit rcbc.edu/registration.

The official process of enrolling (registering) in courses.

Any check or echeck returned to the college by the bank on which it is drawn, for any reason, will incur a $35 processing fee. Additionally, the student's privilege of writing personal checks to the college may be revoked.

A nine-digit bank code that identifies a specific bank. It is usually available on your bank or credit union's website or on a check. You need this number to set up your direct deposit or e-refund from the college.

Status that students hold by maintaining the minimum GPA requirement (2.0) and course completion rate (66.67%). Students who do not meet these standards are in jeopardy of losing eligibility for future aid.

Monetary awards given to college students based on various criteria such as need, academic excellence, and extracurricular activities. Visit rcbc.edu/scholarships for more information.

The three-digit number that follows a course number. This unique set of numbers identify the day, time, location, and course instructor.

Self-Service is an online platform that students are able to access through their BaronOne account. Students can use Self-Service to register for classes, look at their degree progress, set-up a payment plan, view their financial aid award and more.

In general the academic year is broken into a 15-week period of instruction in the fall (August-December) and spring (January-May). The summer semester runs from May until August. All important semester dates (start/end, add/drop, withdrawal) can be found on the Academic Calendar.

A student with 30 - 59 credits.

A unique number assigned to each student at RCBC. Students will need their ID number throughout their time at RCBC.

The Office of Student Support provides reasonable academic accommodations (see: Reasonable Accommodations), counseling, help with food resources, and accessing college and county support. To learn more about this, please visit rcbc.edu/student-support.

Success Coaching helps students master the skills needed for college (i.e. study methods, managing test anxiety, goal setting). For additional information and to make an appointment go to rcbc.edu/successcoaching.

The syllabus is a course guide created by a student’s professor which includes class expectations, RCBC policies, assignments and due dates. Students receive a syllabus when they begin each of their courses. RCBC students should review their syllabi throughout the term.

A period of instruction that falls within a designated semester. There are 5, 7, 10 and 12-week terms in the summer semester and 15, 10 and 7-week terms in the fall and spring semesters. An intersession term occurs between the end of the fall semester and the start of the spring semester. All important term dates (start/end, add/drop, withdrawal) can be found on the Academic Calendar.

The college has rules to prevent and address discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities. Title IX regulations from the federal government give the college the responsibility to investigate any reported sexual misconduct or harassment. Additional information about the process and an alert form regarding any Title IX related activities is available at rcbc.edu/titleIX.

A student’s official college record that includes students’ courses, grades, institutional credits, GPA and awarded degrees.

A student who has attended a college or university prior to attending RCBC.

A charge to students for instructional services that may be charged per term, per course, or per credit. Tuition does not include course fees.

RCBC offers tutoring for most classes at no additional charge. Tutors can help students improve their knowledge of subject material, study for tests or revise papers. Additional information can be found at rcbc.edu/tutoring.

A student who enters college and has not selected a major. Undecided/undeclared students are given the program code NON.UND. Students seeking financial aid are not permitted to be undeclared.

Any student that submits a FAFSA may be selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education. This is done to confirm that the data reported on a student’s FAFSA is accurate. RCBC has the authority to contact students for documentation that supports income and other information that was reported on their FAFSA.
 

A class format that requires students to meet online at the same day and time each week. This format includes discussions and activities similar to on-campus sessions. Faculty and students meet through a video conference platform (i.e. Google Meet or Webex).

A student who takes a class at RCBC while currently enrolled at another college.

A list of the students who are interested in a course section that does not have any seats left available. RCBC students can join the waitlist for a class that is filled using Self-Service. RCBC offers no guarantee that a student will be granted permission to enroll in a waitlisted class. For more information about the waitlist process, visit rcbc.edu/waitlist.

A process that is available after the Add/Drop period for students who are unable, or, no longer wish to complete a course in which they are registered. Withdrawing from a class will result in a “W'' grade on the official college transcript, but does not impact the GPA. It can, however, affect the student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Students are still financially responsible for the course and may lose some or all of their financial aid eligibility when they withdraw. As such, they are encouraged to meet with a Financial Aid Officer before they withdraw.